Ski clamp



M. DJOS SKI -CLAMP Filed Dec. l, 1948 Y IJuly 31, '1951 Brwentor Marra0.10.5

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2%( WMM) Gttotneg Patented July 31, u19,51

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE attainsy SKI CLAMP MattsDjos, Seattle, Wash.y Application December 1, 1948, SerialNo. 62,875

3 Claims.` (Cl. 28011.37)

My invention relates to the art of ski clamps. More particularly. myinvention relates to a ski clamp which holds a pair of skis injuxtaposed position while being carried or stored.

Skis are diicult and awkward members to carry, particularly when notheld together, and also when not properly held together.

Moreover, skis have their running surfaces coated with Wax, whichsurfaces need protection. This surface is damaged by rubbing or directcontact between the skis. The ski clamps which have been heretoforeprovided are of a complex character involving the tightening orloosening of screws to apply or remove theclamps. Also, such prior artski clamps are of a character which areV diiiicult to carry in onespocket while the skis are in use. Moreover, skis are provided with adei-lnite shape and curvature and any means employedv for securing themtogethermust be such as to be free of imposing stress or strains on theskis. Clamps which permit contact between the running surfaces of twoskis cause injury to such surfaces and to wax thereon. Also, if clampsemploying straps are used, such straps when they have collected snow andice become most difficult to handle.

A primary object of my invention is .to overcome these variousobjections and difficulties of prior artr skiclamps. Further primaryobjects of my invention are to provide a ski clamp characterized by itssimplicity to manufacture and use, smallness of'size, lightness ofweight, and characteristics, so that it can be readily carried in onespocket While skiingy and ready for use Whenthe skis are removed from thefeet.

Also, it is a primary object of my invention to provide a clamp which isfree of stress .and strain on the skis when the clamp is appliedthereto, and thereby provide for keeping the skis in their desiredpredetermined shape.

Also, it is an object of my invention to provide ski clamps whicheliminates bothersome removal of toe straps before and after skiing, andfree of screws or bolts which may become lost or damaged or rusted, andwhich may be readily and conveniently applied to the skis, and maintainthem in separated position yet firmly held.

Also, it is an object of my invention to provide such a clamp ofeconomical construction. n

The above mentioned general objects of my invention, together withothers inherent in the same, are attained by the device illustrated inthe following drawings, the same being a preferred form of embodiment of`my invention, throughout 2 which drawings like reference. numeralsindicate like parts:

Figure l is a view in side elevation showingv a pair of skis clampedtogether by clamps of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the devices shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, with parts in elevation, taken substantiallyon broken line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and on a larger scale than Fig.` 1; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view and substantially onthe same scale asFig. 8.

The skis 5 and 5 to. beheld by the clamps Yof my invention may be oflvarious sizes andshapes, and those illustrated in the drawings are onecommon style on the market.

The ski clamps of my invention are numbered generally 1 in Figs. 1 and 2of the drawings, and the respective parts thereof are numberedspecifically in the larger views- Figs 3 and 4.

Eachof the brackets. 1 has a sinuous curved form in side elevation andeach bracket comprises valleys orl ski receiving recesses 8 separated bycurved or spacer portions 9. The valley portions 8 terminate inlegportions I0, II, I2 and I3. The leg portions ID, I I and l2 may besimilar in shape, and each thereof is connected with'an end portion ofone of the springs I5. This may be accomplished by providing each ofsaid leg portions I0, Il and I2 with an opening I4 through which isthreaded an eye of a spring I5. The leg portion I3 carries a hook-likeportion I6. A latch Il is provided with an opening I8 to receivetherethroughthe hook-like portion I6. Preferably, an opening V|53 isprovided in the latch I1 so that ones lingers do not tend to slide aftergrasping said latch Il. Obviously, other expedients may be employed.forv the opening I9 as knurled surfaces, raised portions, etc., toaccomplish the same purpose.

While I have shown valleys 8, each of 'which receives therein a sideportion of a ski and spacer curves 9, it is to be expressly understoodthat my invention is not limited to a uniform sinuous curved clamp, andValleys which intert with the skis and other shaped spacer members maybe employed. However, a sinuous curved clamp lends itself to high speedstamping processes and is preferable.

Also preferably, each of the valleys 8 is preferably provided with areinforcing rib 20 Which may be stamped .at the time of forming thevalleys 8. If it is desired to have the valleys 8 snugly t the edges ofskis or to make the device adaptable for use over a large range ofdifferent construction and may be readily ksecured to or ily applied orremoved, and, at the same time,

will have suicient spring tension to clampl and maintain the skis in thedesired juxtaposed position.

In order to apply a clamp to given portions of l' two spaced skis, theedge portions of the ski .E are inserted in the two lower valleys 8 oftwo laterally spaced clamps and the lower spring l5 is somewhatextended. Then the ski' 5 is 'placed in superposed position above C andwith the edge portions of` the ski 5 in the remaining two valleys t.Then the hook-like portions l: is held in place and the latch il ispulled outwardly putting the upper spring it under ten-- sion, and theopening i8 of the latch il? is placed over and engaged with thehook-like portion, lil.

In order to remove a clamp from a pair o skis, it is only necessary tolift the latch or angnlarly move the same upwardly and the opening 8 maybe disengaged from the hooiolike portion li?. While I have shown a pairor clamps l employed, obviously a greater number may be employed ifdesired.

From tl e foregoing description, it is obvious that I have provided adevice hich is simple in moved from a of skis and will hold tie inposition so that a pair or skis can be handled' as a unit. The device isof a size and nature so vthat it tends to readily collapse when not inuse and can easily be carried in ones pocket to be available whenneeded.

Obviously, changes may be made in the forms, dimensions, andarrangements of the parts of my invention Vwithout departing from theprinciple thereof, the above setting forth only a prejferred form ofembodiment.

I claim: y

l. A ski clamp comprising a pair of laterally spaced sinuously curvedbrackets, each bracket having: two spaced valleys i'or receiving thereinan edge portion of ski, an inwardly projecting ski spacing hill betweensaid valleys, and spring engaging means at its end portions, at leastone of said spring engaging means being a portion of a detachableV catchmeans; spaced tension Vlili 4 springs for urging said brackets towardeach other when skis are between said brackets; and bracket engaging endportions on each of said tension springs, at least one of said bracketengaging spring end portions terminating in the other portion of adetachable c-atch means which is engageable with the first mentionedportion of said detachable catch means.

2. A ski clamp comprisinga pair oflaterally spaced sinuouslycurvedbrackets,...each; l` bracket having: two spaced valleys for receivingtherein an. edge portion of a ski, an inwardly projecting ski spacinghill between said valleys, and spring engaging means at its endportions, at least one orsaid spring engaging means being a portion of ahook and hook eye detachable catch means; spaced tensionsprings forurging said brackets toward Aeach other when skis are between saidbrackets; and bracket engaging end portions on each of said tensionsprings, at least one of said bracket engaging spring end portionsterminating in the other portion oi hook and hook eye detachable catchmeans which isfengageable with the first mentionedportion thereof.

A ski clamp comprising a pair of laterally spaced sinuously curvedbrackets, eaclrbrackct having: two spaced valleys for receiving thereinan edge portion of a ski, an inwardly projecting f' acing hill betweensaid valleys, and-spring means at its end portions, at least ,one springengaging means being thel hook of a detachable -catch means; spacedtension springs for urging said brackets toward each other when skis arebetween said brackets; and bracket engaging end portions on each of saidtension springs, at least one of said bracket engaging spring endportions terminating in the eye hook receiving portion and handleoperating means of a detachable catch means which is engageable with thefirst mentioned portlonthereof, said handle o; err-ating means beingprovided with means deterring sliding of ones fingers with respectthereto. f MATTE DJOSH REFERENCES CITED The following references are ofrecord inthe lile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

